Ink roller mounting for printing machines



Dec. 18, 1956 Filed May 15, 1953 E. WORTHINGTON ROLLER MOUNTING FOR PRINTING MACHINES 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 E 27 If! 22 24 26 23 Fig. 3

' INVENTOR.

Emory W. Worthington A T TORNE Y5.

Dec. 18, 1956 E. WORTHINGTON 2,774,301

ROLLER MOUNTING FOR PRINTING MACHINES Filed May 13, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

Emory W. Worthington BY nwf/ww ATTORNE S.

INK RULLER MOUNTING FOR PRINTING MACHINES Emory W. Worthington, Dobbs Ferry, N. Y., assignor to R. Hoe 85 (30., inc New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application May 13, 1953, Serial No. 354,709

13 Claims. or. 101-352) This invention relates to roller mountings for printing machines and more particularly to mountings in which the roller is pressed against a cooperating roller, cylinder or other part.

It is an object of the invention to provide a roller mounting which applies yielding pressure to the roller in a simple and reliable manner.

A second object is to provide a mounting of the type indicated in which the applied pressure may be closely and simply regulated.

Another object of the invention is to provide a roller mounting having a high damping efiect, thus minimizing vibration. V

A further object is to provide a roller mounting system which permits applying or releasing the pressure on any desired roller in the machine, or on a group of such rollers, as for example the inking rollers of a given printing unit, or the entire machine.

Roller mountings embodying the invention in a preferred form as applied to an ink motion will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and the features forming the invention will then be pointed out in the appended claims. I i

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a schematic elevation showing a part of the ink motion of a printing unit;

Figure 2 is an elevation view of one of the ink roller mountings of Figure 1 on an enlarged scale;

' Figure 3 is a plan view of the ink roller mounting of Figure 2;

Figures 4 and 5 are sections on the respective lines 44 and 55 of Figure 2;

Figure 6 is a plan view of a modified form of ink roller mounting;

Figure 7 is aside elevation of the mounting of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 7 showing a further modification;

Figure 9 is a plan view, partly broken away, showing a still further modification;

Figure 10 is a side elevation view of the mounting of Figure 9;

Figure 11 is a schematic perspective, showing a pneumatic system as applied to the rollers of an ink motion; and

Figure 12 is a schematic detail further showing the pneumatic system of Figure 11.

It is frequently necessary in printing machines to adjust the position and pressure of a roller Working against a film of ink or against a traveling web or sheet. Rollers requiring such an adjustment include former rollers,

trolley rollers and nipping rollers (all of which act against the paper) and also form rollers, distributing rollers and transfer rollers which act against a film of ink. With the usual roller mounting, adjustment to obtain a desired pressure against the ink or paper is somewhat difficult and there is in general no readily available means for determining the pressure applied to the roller. More- Patent over, the applied pressure may vary considerably due to transient and unpredictable effects, such as the growth or swell of a roller in use, or a change in the operating conditions such as the thickness and stifiness of an ink film or the passage of a splice in a traveling web. Difficulty in obtaining and maintaining the desired pressure is probably greatest in connection with the soft surfaced rollers of an ink motion. The flat, which indicates the applied pressure, is difficult to observe and the tendency of the rollers to swell upsets any adjustment which may be made. Also, the number of rollers being large and the space for accommodating their mountings being cramped, it is difficult to provide ink roller mountings having the desired operating characteristics. The mountings for the ink rollers of a printing machine therefore exemplify severe requirements in practically all respects, and the mounting of the invention will accordingly be described with reference to the mountings of the ink rollers of an ink motion as illustrating most completely the application of the invention in all aspects.

In the ink roller mounting of the invention, the pressure is applied hydraulically, and preferably pneumatically, obtaining with the simplest possible construction an accurate and fully adaptable device for applying regulated and controlled pressure. In Figure 1, there is shown part of the frame structure 1 of a printing unit, which may be a unit of the well known arch type. The plate or printing cylinder 2 is inked by means of an ink motion including an ink rail 3 supplying ink to a drum 4 from which the ink is transferred to the plate cylinder by means of rollers 7 to 9 and an ink drum 10. In the construction illustrated, roller 7 is a transfer roller which conveys ink from drum 4 to drum 10, rollers 5 and 6 are distributing rollers and rollers 8 and 9 are the form rollers. Drums 4 and 10 may be reciprocated axially as usual by mechanism, not shown, and which forms no part of the present invention.

The mounting structure 15 for the rollers 5, 6 and 7 may be identical and is shown in detail in Figures 2 to 5.

The ink roller mounting 15 comprises a bracket or block structure 20 secured to the press frame 1 by means of screws 21. A plunger part 22 is carried slidably within the block 20 and in turn supports the usual socket 23 which holds the ink roller bearing. Cover plate 24 holds the sliding part 22 in position against the press frame while permitting it to slide. A second plate 25 is generally interposed between the frame 1 and block 20 to complete an enclosure for part 22. Block 20 also holds a rubber bag 26, the neck of which protrudes out of the block 20 and is equipped with a valve 27 which may be an ordinary tire valve, such as widely used on automobiles. Bag 26 is confined between sliding part 22, block 20 and plates 24 and 25. The desired pressure is readily obtained by inflating the bag 26 by means of an air hose or compressed air or gas bottle and the pressure is easily read by means of an air pressure gauge.

The ink roller mountings 15 are provided at both ends of the rollers and thus apply a definite and equal (or other desired) pressure at both ends of the roller shafts. Adjustment of the mountings to accommodate rollers of different diameters is ordinarily unnecessary as the air bag 26 will have sufiicient flexibility so as to cooperate properly with the plunger 22 when the position of the latter is varied through a distance of a half inch or so.

The air bag 26 may be made of a variety of flexible or resilient materials, but preferred material is a synthetic rubber which does not deteriorate when in contact with oil. Lubrication is required only on the plunger 22 and may be obtained in any convenient manner, as, for example, by simply wiping grease onto this member-at intervals. The wall thickness of the air bag is preferably within a range between one sixteenth and one eighth of valve 27, a pressure release valve 45.

an inch or thereabouts, and its undistorted shape is not critical. The bag 26 may, for example, be spherical and may be squeezed into the shape shown when inserted into the block 20. 'Since any small movement of the sliding plunger 2?. involves not only the compression'and expansion-of the air in the bag 26, but also a flow of the rubber wall, there is a high damping efiect, eliminating any tendency to set up objectionable vibration at any of the natural vibration frequencies which may exist in the machine.

The pressure applied to the various rollers may be the same or may be adjusted to different values by filling the appropriate air bags to diiterent pressures, as desired.

The dimensions of the various devices 15 may also be varied according to the requirements for any particular roller so as to obtain a difierent pressure on the roller for the same air pressure within the 'difierent bags.

In Figures '6 and 7 there is illustrated a modified form V of mounting,- in which the action of the bag 26 is opposed by a spring 30 which is received in a recess 31 in the plunger 32,- otherwise identical with the plunger 22.

Spring 30 acts against astud 33 secured to the press frame and its pressure may be regulated or adjusted by turning a screw threaded rod 34 which passes through a threaded bore in the stud 33 and carries a thrust collar 35. When the air is released from bag 26, spring 30'will move the inking roller back from engagement with the cylinder or cylinders with which it cooperates.

In Figure 8 there is illustrated a further modification,

in which the air bag 26 is replaced by a sylphon bellows 40. The block '41 and plunger 42 are identical with the corresponding elements except for difierences in shape which will'be apparent. In this case, since the damping effect of the bellows 40 may be low, a thrust washer'43 is interposed between this element and the plunger 42'.

The washer 43 p'referably fits tightly in the block 41, introducing sufiicient friction so as to damp the system and eliminate any tendency to vibration. t

There is also shown in Figure 6 a different valve fitting, which may also be used with any of the devices previously described,-and which includes 'in addition to the Valve 45 may be set to any desired value, so as to automatically vent a little air from-time to timeas the .roller swells and thus maintain the desired pressure without need for attention by the pressman.

In Figures 9 and there is shown a still further modification. The parts in general are the same as shown in Figure 6. The plunger 50, however, 'is formed with an ex tension or lug 51 and the block or housing element '52 also has a lug or extension 53. A'screw 54 equipped with a lock nut 55 passes through a threaded bore in member 53 and so as to bein close proximity to the lug 51. Screw 54 serves a dual purpose, limiting the movement of the roller socket due to action of the spring 30 when the air pressure is released, and also permitting the setting of the roller in desired position so as to permit continued operation of the equipment if it should be necessary to replacethe air bag. or any valve] attached to it.

An air system. for a number of roller mountings may be provided as indicated in Figures 11 and 121 In Figure 11 there isindicated a number of air bag units such as shownin Figure l and also the corresponding air bag units 15 .for the other ends of the rollers. The piping 69'con- .nects the air bag units 15 of the ink motion to a main air line 61, through a pneumatic relief valve 62 and a three way valve 63. Any number of inking mechareducing valve 66 and three way valve 67. In Figure 12 there is further indicated the connection from pipe 60 to units 15, through valve 71. V a

In operation the valvingmay be set for any desired pressure within the range permitted by the equipment.

Excessively high pressures are not necessary or desirable,

a convenient indication of the time when the pressure has been applied. 7

If it'is-desired to silence any given inking mechanisms, this may be done by turning the three way valve 63 associated with that mechanism to a position closing off the i connection to main supply line.61 and venting the pipe 6!) to atmosphere. Where the construction of the mounting unit 15 issuch as shown in Figures 6 and 7, the result will be that the springs opposing the air pressure will then automatically move the rollers back from their 00- operating cylinders.

Turning a three way valve 63 to a position disconnecting the pipe 60 from the air line 61, and venting to atmosphere, will isolate any given unit mechanisms, as i may be desirable Where trouble is encountered with the airsupply, Under these conditions the mechanisms may be operated independently-and air or other gas supplied as required from the pressure bottle or hose.

Valve 67 in the main air line will be utilized for disconnecting and venting the entire system for all inking mechanisms in the press, or may also be usedto isolate all the mechanisms from the compressor.

The quantity of air contained in the pipe 60 sufi'icient so as to eliminateany substantial variationin air pressure within the bags "of a unit, .due .to momentary or transient effects, thus producing ayielding pressure having the characteristics ofa no ratespring. Needle valve 71 may also be closed down to any extent desired, so as to increase the rate of the air spring. In this way practically complete control of "the characteristics of the air bags may be had and :practically complete prevention nisms may be similarly connected to the air line 61 and,

typically, all the air bags of the various inking mechanisms of aipress will be so connected. The desired air pressure is maintained .in the main airline 61 by a compressor unit including an air tank 64 together with compressor 65 which will typically be of the type having an automatic control to maintain pressure at a desired value. Pipe 61 is connectedto thecompresson unit through a pressure of undesirable vibration maybe obtained. i

What is claimed is: r

V 1. An ink motion roller mounting for printing machines comprising, in combination, a roller supporting member,

means movably mounting the said member on a machine frame for movement toward and away from a'printing '7 machine element cooperating with the roller, and means for resiliently urging the roller supporting member towardthe'cooperating element, comprising a flexible gas container, means for maintaining gas at 'a'pre'determined pressure therein, and means fixed to the machine frame supporting the said container in pressure sustaining re- 'lation'to' the saidr'oller supporting member. p

2. A'n'ink motion roller mounting for printing machines comprising, in combination, a roller supporting member, means 'movably' mounting-the said member on a machine frame for movement toward and" away from a printing machine elementcooperating with the roller, and means 7 for resiliently urging the roller supporting member .towardthe'cooperating element comprising a-resilient walled gas container, means for maintaining gas at predeter-t mined'pressure therein, and means fixed to the machine frame supporting the said container in pressuresustaining relation to the said roller supportingmember, V 7 V V i 3. A11 ink nrotion roller mounting for printing machines, comprising, in combination, ,a .roller supporting 'member, eans movably mounting the said member on 'a-machinetrame for movement toward" and away from If the rollers may be a printing machine element cooperating with the roller, and means for resiliently urging the roller supporting member toward the cooperating element comprising a bellows, means for maintaining gas at predetermined pressure therein, and means fixed to the machine frame supporting the said bellows in pressure sustaining relation to the said roller supporting member.

4. An ink motion roller mounting for printing machines comprising, in combination, a roller supporting member, means movably mounting the said member on a machine frame for movement toward and away from a printing machine element cooperating with the roller, and means for resiliently urging the roller supporting member toward the cooperating element, comprising a flexible gas container and a check valve for introducing gas into the container, and means fixed to the machine frame supporting the said container in pressure sustaining relation to the said roller supporting member.

5. An ink motion roller mounting according to claim 4, comprising also a pressure relief valve for venting gas from the container upon rise of pressure therein to a predetermined limit.

6. An ink motion roller mounting for printing machines comprising, in combination, a roller supporting member, means movably mounting the said member on a machine frame for movement toward and away from a printing machine element cooperating with the roller, and means for resiliently urging the roller supporting member toward the cooperating element, comprising a flexible gas container, a spring urging the roller supporting member away from the said cooperating element and means for maintaining gas at predetermined pressure in the container and means for releasing the gas therefrom whereby the spring moves the roller back from the said cooperating element upon such release of gas, and means fixed to the machine frame supporting the said spring and container in pressure sustaining relation to the said roller supporting member.

7. An ink motion roller mounting according to claim 6, in which the spring is adjustable for varying the force exerted by it against the roller supporting member.

8. An ink motion roller mounting according to claim 6, comprising also an adjustable stop element for limiting movement of the roller supporting member by the spring.

9. An ink motion roller mounting according to claim 8, in which the adjustable stop element is positionable for holding the roller against the cooperating element independently of the gas container.

10. An ink motion roller mounting for printing machine rollers comprising, in combination, roller supporting members for a plurality of rollers, means movably mounting the said members on a machine frame for movement toward and away from cooperating cylinders, and means for resiliently urging the roller supporting members toward their cooperating cylinders comprising a pneumatic pressure applying means for each such roller supporting member, a manifold for supplying gas under pressure to each said pressure applying device, and means for maintaining gas at predetermined pressure in the manifold.

11. An ink motion roller mounting according to claim 10, comprising also an adjustable throttling valve between the manifold and each pneumatic pressure applying means.

12. An ink motion roller mounting according to claim 11, comprising also a pressure relief valve for each pneumatic pressure applying means.

13. An ink motion roller mounting according to claim 10, in which the means for maintaining gas at predetermined pressure in the manifold comprises a source of supply of gas under pressure and a three way valve for selectively connecting the manifold to the said source, isolating the manifold therefrom while holding the manifold pressure and closing off connections to the source of gas supply while venting the manifold to atmosphere.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,089,740 Barber Mar. 10, 1914 1,920,429 Pastor Aug. 1, 1933 2,138,142 Dietrich Nov. 29, 1938 2,205,720 Goebel et al. June 25, 1940 2,208,688 Stevens July 23, 1940 2,216,565 Eckhard Oct. 1, 1940 2,267,380 Tyler Dec. 23, 1941 2,274,166 Roesen Feb. 24, 1942 2,635,475 Hombostel Apr. 21, 1953 

